Alexander Hamilton Papers

To Alexander Hamilton from William Duer, 7 September 1793

From William Duer1

New York Sept. 7th. 1793.

Sir

I have perused the Letter of this Date which Mr. Hall has addressed to you;2 and in justice to him am obliged to declare that, at my Desire he visited several Places in the State of New Jersey, previous to the Act of Incorporation of the Manufacturing Society,3 in order to ascertain the most Eligible Situation for the Seat of that Establishment. Exclusive of this he attended the Legislature at Trenton at my Request during the whole Time the Bill was in Agitation, and rendered essential Service in forwarding it. Whether these Services, and Employment of Time Entitle him to Compensation the Directors can best determine. For my own Part I do not hesitate to declare that If I had any Influence in the Determination, the Claims of Mr. Hall on this Account, would have their Weight.

I am Sir, with Sentiments of Esteem Your Obet. Hle. Sert.

Wm. Duer

Alexr. Hamilton Esqr.

ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.

1Duer had served as governor of the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures from its inception in 1791 until the collapse of his financial affairs in 1792. On March 23, 1792, he had been imprisoned for debt.

2William Hall to H, September 7, 1793. Hall was one of the first artisans hired by H for the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures. See “Contract with William Hall,” August 20, 1791.

3The Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures was incorporated by the New Jersey legislature on November 22, 1791 (Votes and Proceedings of the Sixteenth General Assembly of the State of New-Jersey. At a Session begun at Trenton on the 25th Day of October, 1791, and continued by Adjournments. Being the First Sitting [Burlington: Printed by Isaac Neale, 1791], 81).

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